Dark red gems glittered inside the box, which had been lined with cream coloured satin. Camilla carefully picked up a flawless jewel. It was actually one of several round cut rubies that had been strung on a ribbon of gold lace. There must have been half a dozen such ribbons carefully laid within the box.
Camilla stared at William with eyes full of questions. This was the last thing she had expected from him. She opened her mouth but the sound refused to come out.
He shrugged back at her, completely unruffled. "You seem to like wearing jewels in your hair. So I had a few threaded on ribbons for you." His eyes then flitted away from her, as if giving someone a small fortune in jewels was a common occurrence for him.
The room was completely silent and everyone stared at William as if he'd suddenly morphed into someone no one recognised. Even King Edward scanned the gift with his razor sharp gaze.
